CITY OF TORRANCE CANDIDATE NOMINATION PROCESS
| Torrance Candidate Manual - June 5, 2018 General Municipal Election |
STEP 1 – COMPLETE A CANDIDATE REGISTRATION & QUALIFICATION FORM (Applying For Nomination Documents)
Candidates or authorized agents are required to fill out a Torrance Candidate Registration and Qualification form providing the following information:
NOTE: Information on this form is used in preparing nomination documents. It is important that the information is accurate. This information will be printed on listings distributed to the news media and the general public.
Candidate qualifications are verified at the time of filing nomination documents.
STEP 2 – COMPLETE APPLICATION FOR NOMINATION DOCUMENTS
An Application for Nomination Documents is prepared from information provided on the Candidate Registration and Qualification form. This application must be signed either by the candidate or an authorized agent acknowledging awareness of:
Candidate or Agent must verify that the candidate information, including the name to appear on ballot, office title, addresses, telephone/fax numbers, e-mail and web site are printed correctly on all forms.
The Torrance Candidate Manual, a campaign financial disclosure packet and nomination petition forms, Form 501 Notice of intention, if applicable, are issued at this time.
STEP 3 – DECLARATION OF INTENTION or DECLARATION OF CANDIDACY
Nomination papers will not be issued to candidates for any office unless a Notice of Intention - FPPC Form 501 or other appropriate FPPC filing or an appropriate Notice of Intention has been submitted and/ or verified with the City Clerk.
STEP 4 – NOMINATION PAPER (Completing Nomination Documents)
A prospective candidate must submit nomination papers containing the requisite number of signatures (no less than 20 and no more than 30 registered Torrance voters)
SIGNER QUALIFICATIONS
Must be a registered Torrance voter and resident of Torrance at the time of signing.
EACH SIGNER must print and sign own name and include residence address.
Exception: A signer who is unable to affix his/her own name and/or address on the petition personally may be assisted by another person. The voter must however, affix his/her own mark/signature on the petition personally. Two witnesses to signature (or mark) are required and such witnesses must also sign their names.
CIRCULATOR QUALIFICATIONS Must be 18 years of age or older
Circulator completes “Affidavit of Circulator” in own handwriting. DO NOT TYPE.
STEP 5 – BALLOT DESIGNATION WORKSHEET
If a candidate submits a ballot designation, the “Ballot Designation Worksheet” shall be filed with the elections official at the time the candidate files documents.
If candidate fails to file a Ballot Designation Worksheet, no designation shall appear under the candidate’s name on the ballot.
STEP 6 – CANDIDATE STATEMENTS (Optional)
A Torrance candidate may submit a candidate statement of no more than 200 words for publication in the Sample Ballot Booklet at a cost of $580. The California Elections Code and case law prohibit candidates from making any reference to another candidate or to another candidate’s qualification, character or activities. Strict guidelines for word count and formatting are to be followed in the writing of the statement.
FILING NOMINATION DOCUMENTS
Candidates or authorized agents are required to fill out a Torrance Candidate Registration and Qualification form providing the following information:
NOTE: Information on this form is used in preparing nomination documents. It is important that the information is accurate. This information will be printed on listings distributed to the news media and the general public.
Candidate qualifications are verified at the time of filing nomination documents.
- Name as you wish it to appear on ballot.
- Full name as registered to vote.
- Residence address.
- Telephone/fax numbers.
- E-mail and/or web site address.
- Address and telephone number for publication/media/internet.
- Elective office title for which you are applying.
- Signature and date.
STEP 2 – COMPLETE APPLICATION FOR NOMINATION DOCUMENTS
An Application for Nomination Documents is prepared from information provided on the Candidate Registration and Qualification form. This application must be signed either by the candidate or an authorized agent acknowledging awareness of:
- Qualifications for office
- FPPC Campaign statement filing requirements (Form 501 or Form 470)
- Candidate Statement Guidelines
- Ballot Designation Worksheet
- Torrance Campaign Finance Ordinance
- Last day to file nomination papers
- Receipt of Torrance Candidate Manual.
Candidate or Agent must verify that the candidate information, including the name to appear on ballot, office title, addresses, telephone/fax numbers, e-mail and web site are printed correctly on all forms.
The Torrance Candidate Manual, a campaign financial disclosure packet and nomination petition forms, Form 501 Notice of intention, if applicable, are issued at this time.
STEP 3 – DECLARATION OF INTENTION or DECLARATION OF CANDIDACY
Nomination papers will not be issued to candidates for any office unless a Notice of Intention - FPPC Form 501 or other appropriate FPPC filing or an appropriate Notice of Intention has been submitted and/ or verified with the City Clerk.
STEP 4 – NOMINATION PAPER (Completing Nomination Documents)
A prospective candidate must submit nomination papers containing the requisite number of signatures (no less than 20 and no more than 30 registered Torrance voters)
SIGNER QUALIFICATIONS
Must be a registered Torrance voter and resident of Torrance at the time of signing.
EACH SIGNER must print and sign own name and include residence address.
Exception: A signer who is unable to affix his/her own name and/or address on the petition personally may be assisted by another person. The voter must however, affix his/her own mark/signature on the petition personally. Two witnesses to signature (or mark) are required and such witnesses must also sign their names.
- Married women must sign name as registered to vote.
- P.O. Box numbers or mailing addresses are not acceptable.
CIRCULATOR QUALIFICATIONS Must be 18 years of age or older
Circulator completes “Affidavit of Circulator” in own handwriting. DO NOT TYPE.
- Fill in appropriate information in blank spaces.
- Fill in dates when signatures were obtained.
- Fill in execution date and place of signing.
- Sign name.
STEP 5 – BALLOT DESIGNATION WORKSHEET
If a candidate submits a ballot designation, the “Ballot Designation Worksheet” shall be filed with the elections official at the time the candidate files documents.
If candidate fails to file a Ballot Designation Worksheet, no designation shall appear under the candidate’s name on the ballot.
STEP 6 – CANDIDATE STATEMENTS (Optional)
A Torrance candidate may submit a candidate statement of no more than 200 words for publication in the Sample Ballot Booklet at a cost of $580. The California Elections Code and case law prohibit candidates from making any reference to another candidate or to another candidate’s qualification, character or activities. Strict guidelines for word count and formatting are to be followed in the writing of the statement.
FILING NOMINATION DOCUMENTS
- A list of mandatory and optional documents to be filed for candidacy is provided.
- It is the obligation of the candidate to ensure that all filing requirements and deadlines are met.
- All candidates are urged to file documents as early as possible to avoid a last minute rush. Once filed, candidates will be issued a receipt.
- A ten day review period will begin after filing closes at which time any person may review and contest candidate ballot statements or ballot designations.
- The Los Angeles County Registrar is responsible for mailing Sample Ballot Booklets and Vote by Mail ballots.